Sikeston storms back late to keep season alive

sports@standard-democrat.com

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Late two-out rallies are starting to become a trend for the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs.

Two days after using one to down Naylor in their regular season finale, Sikeston was at it again Wednesday rallying in the sixth inning to beat Doniphan 5-4 in the opening round of the Class 3, District 1 tournament.

"It's kind of been the theme of some of these games so far that we've won," Sikeston head coach Eric Voorhees said. "We have a 'never say die attitude' and a lot of these girls are used to winning in the summer stuff they've done. We've talked from day one about changing the culture and the way we look at things.

"When we get down we don't put our heads down, we just continue to play and chip away. Luckily we were able to come out with a win today."

Unlike against Naylor, when Sikeston waited until its final out in the top of the seventh to string together three runs, Wednesday's rally came in the bottom of the sixth.

After watching a two-run advantage disappear in the top of the frame as Doniphan knotted it up 4-4, the Lady Bulldogs responded with one final offensive surge.

A pop up and a strikeout to start the bottom of the sixth left the Lady Bulldogs with two outs only to see leadoff hitter Myca Martin keep the frame alive with an infield single.

Kylie Noe followed suit with a hard hit grounder that couldn't be handled by the shortstop to set up runner's on first and third.

Next up, No. 3 hitter Maggie Shepherd hit a grounder down the third base side that rolled cleanly into the outfield to easily score Martin from third.

"I just wanted to put the ball in play," Shepherd said. "Get it somewhere where the runner on third could score so we could get ahead."

Noe was caught trying to steal third soon after to end the threat, but Sikeston entered the seventh inning with a 5-4 lead.

Shaking off the previous inning where the Donnettes got two runs, Sikeston pitcher Madison Smith retired the side in order in the top of the seventh sending her team to the semifinals.

Doniphan's game tying rally in the top of the sixth could have been a lot worse if not for a couple big defensive plays by Sikeston to curve the Donette's momentum.

A couple fielder's choices where the Lady Bulldogs didn't get the lead runner or an out allowed Doniphan to score their second run of the frame while putting runners on second and third with no outs.

A fly ball to right field proved to be the Lady Bulldogs' saving grace, however, as Natalie Regenold caught the fly out before throwing home for a double play. A ground out to Smith ended the inning without the Donnettes taking the lead.

"Defensively I don't think there's any doubt that Natalie, our senior, had one of the best game I've seen of her," Voorhees said of the double play. "She's made catches here and there and she really kept us in the game with some defensive plays. Particularly the one where she threw down for the double play there, gunning the runner down tagging from third."

Outhitting Doniphan 10-5, Sikeston was led by Martin, Shepherd and Jorgia Aters, who had two hits each. Besides her game-winning single, Shepherd also doubled as part of a three-run third inning by the Lady Bulldogs and she scored a run.

"She's hit over .500 all season and her average will continue to climb," Voorhees said of Shepherd. "She absolutely mashes the ball every time she puts the bat on it. She's an excellent leader for our team and everything you want from a three-hole senior that in all intents and purposes should get every award that's coming to her. She's been on an absolutely different level and hopefully she continues it."

Ashton Drake, Madeline Witt and Smith contributed a single each to Sikeston's cause.

The Lady Bulldogs have now put together a season-high four game winning streak to move to 14-12 on the year. They advance to the semifinals where they'll play Ste. Genieve tonight at 6 p.m. at Notre Dame High School.

Doniphan 002 002 0 - 4

Sikeston 103 001 x - 5

WP -- Madison Smith. LP -- Madison Pikey. Multiple hitters: (D) Madison Pikey 2-4, Kaitlyn Orr 2-4; (S) Myca Martin 2-4, Maggie Shepherd 2-4. 2B -- (D) Pikey, Orr; (S) Shepherd.